The Home Depot Loop

06/10/2008 17:00 Mountain

Hello Friends,

An update on the Head Local's road bike ride - a ride to stretch the legs out and basically just go out for a spin.

The ride begins in Pinebrook and heads East on North Frontage Road (Rasmussen) and goes past Kimball Junction. This road is traveled very infrequently and the pavement is very good.

Once you pass Kimball Junction, the road (I think) turns into Bitner, but before long, you cross under the highway to Trailside (South Frontage Road). This is a great stretch as you have the Swaner Nature Presserve on your right - a wide expanse of prairie grass and wetlands where wildlife is abundant.

Wind east and then turn south ending up at the Silver Creek Exit - staying on the same road the entire way.

At the stop sign, make a left and go over Highway 40. Home Depot is here (hence the ride's namesake) as well as a gas station for Gatorade, etc...

Turn right on, yes, you got it, Frontage Road (these all parallel major highways). Heading south you enter what is called Round Valley/Quinn's Junction. It is a decent road with one little climb just past Home Depot and then flat for a few miles - nice to have the wind at my back but I know I will pay on the way home. Oh how little did I know!

At Quinn's Junction, you head East on Kearn's Boulevard into Park City. The road is nice but there are rumble strips so pick the white line, or a little to the right where you are inside the rumble strips. Stay straight until the road comes to a T. On the right, you will find Squatter's Roadhouse Bar and Grill - a great brewpub with good food. Service can be slow at times. They do have a frequent diner card - always a bonus. I love my Squatter's pint glasses!

Make the right turn at Squatter's and head north, down, down, down into Kimball Junction where you once again meet up with North Frontage Road. Make a left and home is only 2 flat miles away.

Those 2 flat miles felt like 10 as the moment I came into Park City (past PC Hill) the wind said, HELLO! The wind stayed with me for the final 40 minutes and I was cold enough that when I got home:
I turned on the fire
and the heat
took a hot shower
put on socks
pants
2 sweatshirts
a hat
and hopped in bed, underneath 2 blankets.

Nonetheless, the ride is about 22 miles from door to door and is a great "spin" as it is flat the entire way, save the headwind.

Have a great day,
Brian